Oral Health And Older Adults: A History Of Public Neglect

Oral health and general health are interwoven. Disparities in oral healthcare exist for underserved and vulnerable older adults. Since 1988, many studies have been conducted and reports written with recommendations by the Surgeon General, IOM, CDC, and HHS. The lack of public financing for preventive or routine oral healthcare for older adults enrolled either in Medicare or Medicaid has prevented action on many recommendations in these reports. Now is the time to support publicly funded oral healthcare for this vulnerable, underserved population.